Karl Jenkins- Benedictus.  

Put all your distractions on hold to listen to this wonderful piece of music that Karl Jenkins presents. Also pay attention to the slides shown in the concert. Think of the journey you have walked with me and the historic landscape we have seen together. Did you learn something new? Perhaps you have learned what is the greatest sorrow  and the greatest joy.  You may also have learned what it is that we need to protect.

War and peace permeate the universe and are the pulse of creation.  They are punctilious in nature and follow a pattern. It is hard to discern the pattern when we are part of it. We can, however, be grateful to our forefathers who left behind records for future generations, allowing us to see the eternal knot of which we are a part. We can be grateful for our historians today as we weave our own experiences as a nation for the benefit of those who are yet to come.

Here is an excerpt from some historical records that were translated from metal plates (600BC-400AD). “Behold, I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon. Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my father.

And now it came to pass that after the great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed. And my father was also killed by them, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfill the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not. Therefore, I will write and hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not.

Behold, my father hath made this record, and he hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the plates, but I have not; and ore I have none, for I am alone. And my father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.

Behold, 400 hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior. And behold, the Lamanites have hunted our people, the Nephites, down from city to city and from place to place, even until they are no more; and great has been their fall; yea, great and marvelous is the destruction of my people, the Nephites. And behold, it is in the hand of the Lord which hath done it. And behold also, the Lamanites are at war with one another; and the whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed; and no one knoweth the end of the war.”

Witnessing such utter destruction and loss, Moroni was able to stand outside of the pattern and express hope for the future, looking to a God of miracles. His pain brought him to his knees but he ackowledged the important process of getting up. Those who stand the tallest are the ones who’ve encountered the fall.

Standing tall with parental concern, he adds: “Behold, I speak unto you as though I spake from the dead: for I know that ye shall have my words. Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before me; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.”

Let’s remember those who’ve gone before us. From out of the dust their cries are heard. Composer, Karl Jenkins has heard these cries, and reflects their feelings in his work.

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Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream

Words and Music by Ed McCurdy

Last night I had the strangest dream
I’d ever dreamed before
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war

I dreamed I saw a mighty room
Filled with women and men
And the paper they were signing said
They’d never fight again

And when the paper was all signed
And a million copies made
They all joined hands and bowed their heads
And grateful pray’rs were prayed

And the people in the streets below
Were dancing ’round and ’round
While swords and guns and uniforms
Were scattered on the ground

Last night I had the strangest dream
I’d never dreamed before
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war.

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The search for peace replaces the quest for glory as depicted in this moving segment. Screams of the dying followed by a trumpet’s cry set the tone for quiet contemplation.

Angry flames fueled by pride transform a tainted landscape. In the aftermath, rubble and desolation create a hollow space, a cleansing for humility to take root. Humility introduces newfound hope as man, once again, turns his face to Agnus Dei.

Is the landscape shaped like an eternal knot? Perhaps we need to dwell upon the creative expression of Welsh composer, Karl Jenkins. His haunting melody, Benedictus, ignites something deep inside. He helps us to see from a distance the ashes in a purged panorama.

When men’s hearts begin to fail them, and towers crumble and fall, embers of a fallen nation are gathered to create a new fire, lighting the torch within.

lighting the torch within…

Perhaps this is an appropriate moment for me to share a poem from the book “Gentle Whispers.”

Summer Camp

Moment is mine to steal and hide
Beneath besieging blue
Its sky is high and free to guide
My thoughts to mystic hue.
Birds that cross my vision fly
To trees of their free choosing
Songs in symposium, spirits in love
Boundaries collectively fusing.

Gentle breeze brushes my face
I lie in timber green
From swooping birds who know my pace
and stir my senses clean.
Farmlands melt my fading dreams
They boast of golden torches
Riding sun’s synthetic steed
They sway in mocking scorches.

Fence of wire keeps me within
To protect me from the wild
And silently a fox’s chin
Is pressed on the other side.
Waiting in turn, humble hearts yearn
safer pasture to tread
Moment lays hold to wriggle and churn
telltale ashes that define the dead.

In crude awakening scope
Siren blasts its sound
It meddles with a moment’s hope
And sinks it to the ground.
The fear to fall, nature’s stance
befuddled before the tower
Is haunted by a threatening chance
To lose one’s precious power.

Fox’s ears are sharp and pointed
His head is turned to face the fire
Exchanging glances with eyes anointed
Know fate lies with this wire.
In hurried steps I dodge the light
For night has fallen now
Beyond the fence freedom fires fight
And a fox’s shadow stoops and bows.

Ready to plummet through farewell’s chasm
Unchaperoned in universal hall
Fire tails flickering will lose their spasm
Towers corrupt will crumble and fall.
Stars of deity destined to call
Are the same in Heaven, countless, aglow
In silent posture I face execution’s wall
one heart to beat forevermore.

Their stories are heard. Your forefathers know them well.
If we forget, nature calls to give us a gentle reminder.
If we ignore it, nature sends us a storm.

In conclusion to this mellifluous performance of the heart it would also be appropriate to end with these words:

Hope you are enjoying this War and Peace series. There is more to come!

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L’Homme Arme follows his marching orders; his final tribute to freedom. In this War and Peace series we are reminded of man’s adherence to the call of duty and sacrifice. Artistic director, Alan Boyer, captures more than a military march; a march for glory becomes a march of death as we look into the face of human suffering.  What is the purpose of glory when men’s hearts begin to fail them? What is the purpose of glory when there is no one around to celebrate it with you?

I am reminded of the recent Presidential Election series, and encourage you to read the three articles posted there. When you get to the last one in the series, open the “Comments” section of that article and read my response to one of the comments. Towards the end of my response, I included the You Tube video clip of Hitler’s first speech as Berlin’s new Chancellor and hope for Germany. Its very interesting to watch and compare; pay attention to the slides and overall mood displayed in this part of the concert.

 http://stairwaytosecrets.com/blog/election-day/

Look forward to the next article which promises to ignite your heart as you hear screams of the dying, a trumpet’s cry, and the hope of man engulfed in flames. What happens next will astound you.

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